Table 2.
Trends in the Unadjusted Differences between whites and African Americans, and between whites and Hispanics, for Five Outcomes Related to Prescription Drugs before the Introduction of Medicare Part D
|
whites vs African Americans |
whites vs Hispanics |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome Measures | Difference 2002–2003 | Difference 2004–2005 | Difference over Time | DDD | t (p-value) | Difference 2002–2003 | Difference 2004–2005 | Difference Over Time | DDD | t (p-value) |
| Any prescriptions filled | ||||||||||
| Treatment (65+) | 4% | 1% | −3% | −6% | −1.49 | 5% | 4% | −1% | 0% | −0.20 |
| Comparison (55–63) | 3% | 6% | 3% | (0.135) | 13% | 12% | −1% | (0.844) | ||
| Total number Rx filled* | ||||||||||
| Treatment (65+) | −2.92 | −3.10 | −0.18 | −2.18 | −0.67 | 3.22 | 1.77 | −1.45 | −1.03 | −0.37 |
| Comparison (55–63) | −3.27 | −1.27 | 2.00 | (0.501) | 3.60 | 3.18 | −0.42 | (0.712) | ||
| Rx total spending† | ||||||||||
| Treatment (65+) | −77.98 | 69.32 | 147.30 | 18.85 | 0.08 | 228.42 | 305.21 | 76.79 | 4.53 | 0.02 |
| Comparison (55–63) | −25.37 | 130.08 | 128.45 | (0.933) | 260.40 | 332.66 | 72.26 | (0.986) | ||
| Rx out-of-pocket spending‡ | ||||||||||
| Treatment (65+) | 178.06 | 159.03 | −19.03 | −83.32 | −0.77 | 242.95 | 285.14 | 42.19 | 130.12 | 1.05 |
| Comparison (55–63) | 16.55 | 80.84 | 64.29 | (0.295) | 105.89 | 17.96 | −87.93 | (0.295) | ||
| Average copay§ | ||||||||||
| Treatment (65+) | 9% | 6% | −3% | −3% | −0.80 | 7% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 0.32 |
| Comparison (55–63) | −2% | −2% | 0% | (0.421) | −10% | −10% | 0% | (0.750) | ||
Note. Estimates are for comparison and treatment groups and are based on racial/ethnic differences in unadjusted averages of outcomes of interest prior to PartD. For instance, during 2002–2003 period, on average, 93% of older whites versus 89% of African Americans had any prescriptions filled (difference = 93–89% = 3%). During 2004–2005, there is 1% difference between older whites and older African Americans in having any prescriptions filled (difference = 93–92% = 1%). However, among comparison group, the average difference between whites and African Americans rose from 3% in 2002–2003 to 6% in 2004–2005. Although the disparity trends were not the same between the comparison and treatment group, the diverging trends were not statistically significant. Comparison group consists of adults without Medicare, aged 55–63, who self-report being white, African American, or Hispanic. Treatment group consists of Medicare beneficiaries, aged 65 or older, who self-report being white, African American, or Hispanic.
Unadjusted differences in average number of prescriptions filled over the period between whites and African Americans, and whites and Hispanics who had at least one prescription filled.
Unadjusted differences in average total cost of prescriptions over the period between whites and African Americans, and whites and Hispanics who had at least one prescription filled.
Unadjusted differences in average out-of-pocket cost of prescriptions over the period between whites and African Americans, and whites and Hispanics who had positive out-of-pocket cost.
Unadjusted differences in average copay (out-of-pocket/total cost) over the period between whites and African Americans, and whites and Hispanics who had positive total and out-of-pocket cost.
Source: Data are from the household component files of the 2002–2003 and 2004–2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.